diff --git a/doc/fixes34.2 b/doc/fixes34.2
index 90c72210b..2ae5ba3bb 100644
--- a/doc/fixes34.2
+++ b/doc/fixes34.2
@@ -139,6 +139,7 @@ linux: add example use of nroff on recent Linux distros
 linux: use random() by default instead of lrand48()
 OpenBSD: time() prototype and correct default Mail program
 Gnome: compilation problems on Solaris
+unix: better error message for .nethackrc access problems
 
 
 General New Features
diff --git a/src/files.c b/src/files.c
index cd1089cf6..32e2ab678 100644
--- a/src/files.c
+++ b/src/files.c
@@ -1553,11 +1553,18 @@ const char *filename;
 	}
 # endif
 	if (errno != ENOENT) {
-		/* e.g., problems when setuid NetHack can't search home
-		 * directory restricted to user */
-		raw_printf("Couldn't open default config file %s (%d).",
-					tmp_config, errno);
-		wait_synch();
+	    char *details;
+
+	    /* e.g., problems when setuid NetHack can't search home
+	     * directory restricted to user */
+
+#if defined(POSIX_TYPES) || defined(BSD) || defined(SYSV)
+	    if ((details = strerror(errno)) == 0)
+#endif
+		details = "";
+	    raw_printf("Couldn't open default config file %s %s(%d).",
+		       tmp_config, details, errno);
+	    wait_synch();
 	}
 # endif
 #endif